Public transport plays a vital role in a metropolitan city like Kuala Lumpur, offering residents an affordable, accessible, and sustainable way to commute daily. Recognizing this, the Transport Ministry has been actively working to enhance public transportation efficiency across major Malaysian cities. One of the key initiatives under this plan is the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project.
According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the LRT3 is on track to begin operations by September 30, 2025. In a written response to a parliamentary query, he confirmed that the project has already achieved 90.16% completion and is moving steadily toward its final stages.
“The full completion of the project is expected by July 31, at which point it will be handed over to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd by the turnkey contractor. The operational launch of the LRT3 system is scheduled for September 30,” Loke stated.
Rigorous Testing Before Launch
Before welcoming passengers, the LRT3 system will undergo comprehensive trial runs in two key phases to ensure safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. These trials will include:
- Trial Run (TR) – A full-system operational test.
- Fault-Free Run (FFR) – A reliability test conducted by the main contractor, Setia Utama LRT3 Sdn Bhd.
These tests, expected to last around 60 days, will be evaluated by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). Testing is set to begin in July and conclude by August.
Connecting Communities: Bandar Utama to Johan Setia
Stretching 37.8 km, the LRT3 will connect Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang, significantly improving connectivity for daily commuters.
The project has seen significant financial adjustments over the years. Initially planned with 26 stations and a budget of RM9 billion, costs escalated to RM31.7 billion. In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan administration deferred five stations and canceled one, reducing costs to RM16.63 billion. However, in 2024, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the reinstatement of the five shelved stations, adding an extra RM4.7 billion to the project.
With testing underway and a confirmed launch date, the LRT3 is set to be a game-changer for urban mobility in Malaysia, providing a faster, more efficient, and eco-friendly transportation alternative for thousands of commuters.
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